Pokémon Go-ing Gone

As I came out of the library bathroom I collided with another library patron. I kept my head down, embarrassed, “sorry about that.”

“Jack?”

I looked up to see someone I hadn’t seen in years, “Phil?”

“Hey man, what are you doing here?”

“I’m volunteering with library landscaping every Wednesday. What about you?”

“I’m on my lunchbreak. I needed to pick up a book for my book club, but the downtown library was out of copies. This was the closest branch that had a copy.”

The Baxter Estates Library was west of downtown. The grounds were less known for the library and more frequented for the baseball field, museum, and Baxter City Hall.

“I’m actually on my lunchbreak too,” I said.

“I’ve got another half hour before I need to get back to the office, want to catch up?”

“Well, I’d love to, but do you mind if we walk around? I’ve been playing Pokémon Go and there is a raid I was going to join,” I told him.

“No problem! Actually, could I join you? I downloaded the game and don’t have anyone to play with. I don’t know much about Pokémon, but it looked fun.”

“I’d like that,” I told him.

“I just need to...” he pointed at the restroom. I had been standing in his way. I laughed and let him pass by me to use the restroom.

“I want to put my book in my car real quick,” Phil said, “it’s this one here.’

“Hey, you parked next to me!”

“That’s yours! Damn, that’s nice. You did good at your job! No wonder you can take time off to just volunteer.”

We spent the next thirty minutes catching up and catching Pokémon. It had been over ten years since we had previously seen each other; he was still working for the same company, manager of his division. Spent most of his time reading and hanging out with his dogs. I told him about leaving my job with the finance firm to take some time volunteering and focusing on myself and family.

“Does the library make you wear long pants?” Phil asked, “I mean, it’s over a hundred degrees today.”

“It keeps my knees from getting scuffed and my skin from burning,” I explained.

“This was really fun,” Phil said, “I need to get back to the office, but I can always meet up for lunch again if you’d like.”

“I’m here every Wednesday,” I said.

We exchanged numbers and planned to spend the following Wednesday playing in the park grounds again. Throughout the week texted more, sharing book recommendations, music tastes, recipes, and tips on catching Pokémon. It was amazing we had so much in common and hadn't kept our friendship stronger throughout the years.

Wednesday arrived and I eagerly awaited lunchtime. Phil arrived right on time and greeted me with a bear hug. It was tight and warm, filled with loving greetings. I could tell he was just as eager to hang out with me.

We started our adventure and captured and battled. Phil was not as good with curve balls, and I helped him catch some of the tougher Pokémon he’d been searching for.

"I can't believe you helped me get a Hydreigon!" Phil said gleefully.

We chatted about life a little more, but primarily spent the time playing our game.

When our lunchbreak was up we called it a day, hugged again, and planned again for the following Wednesday.

Then the following Wednesday and the one after that. We repeated our lunchbreak rendezvous for six weeks in total and it was the highlight of my week every week.

“We should grab dinner after work one day. Maybe I can barbeque, bring your family and we can play some lawn games.”

“Yeah, let me check with them, that would be fun,” I told him.

The Friday before what would’ve been our seventh outing is when I got the news I’d been waiting for and I called Phil.

“You’ve reached Phil Benson, I’m unable to come to the phone right now, but please leave your name, number, and a brief message after the beep. I’ll return your call as soon as I am able.”

“Hi Phil, it’s Jack. I wanted to call and thank you for spending time with me every Wednesday. I know it might seem trivial to you, but it’s meant the world to me.”

I paused to consider my next words. Now was the time to let it all out, Phil deserved that.

“Phil, I didn’t quit my job with the finance firm. I was accused of embezzling over three million dollars. The reason I wear long pants while gardening is to hide my ankle monitor, and I volunteer with the library gardens because it is within the range I’m allowed,” I continued.

“My partner left me. My kids won’t speak to me. My sister took my dogs and left a note saying that I was better off gone. My sentence was just handed down and I’ll be going to prison for the rest of my life.”

I paused again to let my words puncture my heart, but it didn’t happen.

“Spending an hour with you every week brought me the most joy I’ve had in a long time. You allowed me to let down my guard, laugh, and forget my troubles. I won't survive prison; I've evaluated my life and made the right choice for myself. I can leave this world knowing that good people like you are out there making the world a better place.”

I finally started to choke up, a little, with a happy tear running down my face.

“By the time you get this you won’t be able to reach me. I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am for your kindness. How grateful I am to call you my friend. Thank you.”

I hung up the phone, checked that the garage door was closed, and started the engine. I was ready to rest peacefully.

**This story is based on true events; names and particular details have been changed for privacy. Find out more about suicide prevention by calling 988 or visiting https://988lifeline.org/**